TORONTO — An animated Justin Cournoyer readily answered questions following his food demonstration at the SIAL international food show. This show, held last spring, along with others like the Trashed and Wasted food event in Toronto gives the chef and restaurateur the forum to share his views on living and eating in harmony with the […] Read more
Stories by Karen Morrison
Family diversifies, direct sells to allow ranch lifestyle
BRIDESVILLE, B.C. — Art Harfman recalled the moment he met his soul mate at a 4-H achievement day as a teenager. “As soon as I laid my eyes on her, I said to myself, ‘when I’m ready to marry, that’s the girl it will be,’ ” he said. A decade later, he married Norah and […] Read more
OYF nominees share tips on succession
PENTICTON, B.C. — Careful planning, honest conversations, trust and respect are keys to successful generational farm transfers. In interviews during the Outstanding Young Farmer national conference in Penticton Nov. 30-Dec. 3, provincial nominees shared these tips from their farms’ succession plans. Lauchie and Jolene MacEachern of Folly River dairy farm at Debert, N.S., who gradually […] Read more
Challenges bring opportunities to Okanagan growers
OLIVER, B.C. — Access to a reliable labour force and ever increasing production costs have challenged British Columbia fruit growers in recent years, but a proliferation of wineries in the south Okanagan Valley has also presented opportunities. Heide Held operates Hillside Orchards U-Pick and Farm Market with her parents, Guenther and Mary, near Oliver. The […] Read more
Don’t let your farm get stuck in a rut
PENTICTON, B.C. — The status quo is not sustainable in a rapidly changing agricultural climate, delegates heard during Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers conference Dec. 1. “If you are not focused on growth, you are going backwards,” said Kevin Stewart, who operates AgVision Media. “In this disruptive environment, 70 percent of our decisions will be wrong […] Read more
Farmers’ sustainability focus rewarded
PENTICTON, B.C. — Sustainable farming was rewarded at this year’s Outstanding Young Farmers awards ceremony with both national winners focused on soil ecology and the environment. Grain farmers Derek and Tannis Axten of Minton, Sask., and produce growers Francois Handfield and Veronique Bouchard of Mont Tremblant, Que., were selected from seven provincial nominees during an […] Read more
Technology is not a good babysitter
Expert says children need stimulating activities and interaction with others to reduce anxiety and develop social skills
PENTICTON, B.C. — Developmental and language delays, increased depression, distracted behaviour and less empathy in children are red flags for parents who need to better manage technology use in their homes. Elad Milman presented a session on keeping human connections in the technological age at a recent parenting conference in Penticton. “I think the concern […] Read more
B.C. community tackles food insecurity
OLIVER, B.C. — Connecting the bounty of food in the highly productive Okanagan with people in need is a priority of Food Secure Oliver. After three years of planning and consultations with the community, the initiative is expected to roll out in February and March with the hiring of a co-ordinator to implement the plan […] Read more
Outdoor play expands curiosity, vocabulary, communication skills
PENTICTON, B.C. — Young children are more likely to be hurt in car accidents than on the playground, said an early childhood researcher. Beverlie Dietz, director of learning and applied research at Okanagan College, said outdoor play should be a part of everyday life, whether at home or in child-care centres. Her study of early […] Read more
Sask., Que. couples win Outstanding Young Farmer
PENTICTON, B.C. — Both the east and the west were represented among this year’s Outstanding Young Farmers national winners. Derek and Tannis Axten of Minton, Sask., and Francois Handfield and Veronique Bouchard of Mont Tremblant, Que., were selected from seven provincial nominees during an awards ceremony Dec. 1 in Penticton, B.C. The Axtens, the fourth […] Read more
